Could Jets Pursue Blockbuster Signing of Free Agent Mike Evans?

If the New York Jets want to create a fearsome receiving duo, they could pursue current Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans in free agency to pair with Garrett Wilson.

Could the New York Jets be a major player in free agency and acquire one of the top receivers available this offseason, Mike Evans? 

This idea was recently proposed in an article by Pro Football Focus, which listed potential landing spots for the top quarterbacks and receivers who are set to hit the free-agent market this offseason. 

"The New York Jets need more receiving talent opposite Garrett Wilson, and this move is effectively the inverse of the above: Evans takes a bit less but joins Aaron Rodgers as he tries to replicate the Tom Brady run in Tampa," PFF writes.

Current Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans could be a free-agent target for the New York Jets / Clutchpoints

Even at 30 years old, Evans is still one of the top receivers in the league. The former Texas A&M Aggie is coming off his 10th straight season with over 1,000 yards receiving, as he showed no signs of a drop-off despite the retirement of Brady last offseason.

Evans totaled 1255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns on 79 receptions while playing in all 17 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. 

Adding him to a receiver room that already includes the young Wilson would certainly give the returning Rodgers one of the top duos in the league. 

Now. with just a projected $4 million in remaining cap space, according to OverTheCap, it seems unlikely that the Jets will be major players for Evans. However, that doesn't mean they can't make some moves to gain additional cap space. 

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For example, the Jets could free up $20 million in cap room with just two moves. By restructuring the contracts of inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. If that isn't enough to sign Evans, they could free up an additional $8.5 million by restructuring Laken Tomlinson's deal.

The idea of signing Evans to pair with Rodgers and Wilson is enticing, but with the well-documented needs on the offensive line, it could end up just being a dream rather than a reality.